Rose is ‘thankful’ to be back on field -- for a day

For the first time since 1989, Pete Rose will step onto the Cincinnati Reds’ field Sunday, for a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of his major league-record 4,192nd hit.

Rose, 69, remains banned for life from Major League Baseball after striking a 1989 settlement with then-Commissioner Bart Giamatti following an investigation that found Rose had made bets on the Reds to win games while he managed the team.

Sunday’s event, planned by Reds owners and approved by baseball’s current commissioner, Bud Selig, marks the third time since the ban that Rose has been allowed to take part in an MLB ceremony. In 2000, he was honored as a member of baseball’s All-Century team, and at the 2002 World Series, his Sept. 11, 1985, single that broke Ty Cobb’s career record for base hits was recognized as one of baseball’s “10 Greatest Moments.”

This appearance has already been marked by controversy. Rose is being honored Sunday rather than Saturday because he’d previously committed to a roast that will include former Big Red Machine teammates ... at a nearby casino.

Giamatti’s successor, Fay Vincent, has ripped Selig for permitting a baseball celebration of Rose, saying, “When the keeper of the rules does not enforce the rules, there are no rules.”

Before Rose left for Cincinnati, he sat down for this question-and-answer session, and although he clearly has retained some of Charlie Hustle’s swagger -- “I’m the best 69-year-old baseball player in the world,” he said -- he seemed truly humbled about being allowed to take part in Sunday’s ceremony.

Why are you celebrating the record hit a day after the 25th anniversary?

“I know what people are saying about the roast at the casino. We tried to get it moved, but invitations were already out, plane reservations had been made. The [Reds’] military tribute on Sept. 11 is bigger than me or baseball, anyway. It’s always been difficult for me to feel like celebrating that hit now when you want to celebrate the soldiers and express condolences to the survivors.”

How did the ceremony come about?

“Behind the scenes, I was approached by the [Reds] owner’s son, Phil Castellini, about a month ago about this opportunity. I was overly excited ... I don’t know how he got approval. I just told [friends] how thankful I was to Bud Selig, and to the fans. It’s been such a long time since I’ve been on that field. I always played for those fans.”

What do those fans think of you?

“They know what I know: that I screwed up. I let a lot of them down. They want to see a change. It took me awhile to change. When Commissioner Giamatti told me to reconfigure my life, it took me years to figure out what he really meant. What I did was no good. I was hard-headed in my denials. It took me longer than it should have to apologize. The longer you wait to apologize, the longer people wait to forgive you. Nobody’s bigger than the game. I might have thought I was hot [stuff]. I was not. I did an awful thing. What a mistake it was. I’m just lucky to still have some fans in my corner, people who are probably willing to give me the benefit of the doubt and understand how much a second chance would mean to me, and maybe the game.”

What is your legacy?

“To teach young people not to make the mistake I did. If you make a mistake, come forward immediately. Don’t hide it, come clean with yourself. It makes you feel better. I know Commissioner Giamatti was telling me, ‘Take responsibility for what you did.’ I let him down, the fans, everyone around me. I let them all down. I believe I played the game the right way, but off the field I didn’t attack things the right way. If seeing me helps a kid heading down the wrong way in life, to know it’s better to fess up, that’s what I’d hope they’d understand.”

Selig hasn’t appeared close to reinstating you after more than 20 years. Why? Do you view this Reds’ game as a thawing of his position?

“I look at this as an opportunity to be a small part of a big game on one day. I thank the commissioner for letting me stand in front of the fans and be recognized. He’s the man. He’s got his reasons [for maintaining the ban]. I have respect for the man. He’s done a good job. I make his job difficult. Someone from the Reds got the OK on doing this from up above, and I appreciate whoever gave the OK.”

Have you reconciled the fact you may never get reinstated, and will remain out of the Hall of Fame?

“I want to live the rest of my life with a clear conscience. The Hall of Fame is the biggest honor that can be bestowed. ... I probably played with or against every Hall of Famer from 1968 on, from Stan Musial to Andre Dawson. I have an understanding of what it takes to get there.”

In light of the steroid era and how drug use affected game outcomes, should baseball’s treatment of you be softened?

“Who am I to judge Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds? Everything I accomplished in baseball as a player, I did it the right way; I got all of those hits with hard work and dedication. I don’t know a damn thing about steroids. Those judgments are for you writers to separate. If you’re asking me what’s worse, steroids or gambling? They’re both bad. Wouldn’t we like to have Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Hank Aaron sitting at this table and ask them what’s worse?”

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

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